Palawan students living near petroleum exploration areas will soon receive monthly stipends and learning support through a ₱6.1-million scholarship and institutional assistance program launched by the Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with Palawan State University (PSU) and Western Philippines University (WPU).
The program is funded under Petroleum Service Contracts (PSCs) operating in the offshore Northwest Palawan Basin.
It aims to help students from host communities pursue energy-related courses while also supporting university programs that strengthen local technical capacity.
The partnership was formalized on Tuesday, October 22, through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DOE, PSU, and WPU.
The fund, sourced from PSCs 74 and 75 operated by PXP Corporation, PSC 14C1 of NPG Pty. Ltd., and PSC 14C2 of The Philodrill Corporation, will allocate US$55,000 to PSU and US$50,000 to WPU for the first phase of implementation.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the collaboration ensures that energy resource development directly supports the people of Palawan.
“This partnership ensures that the utilization of our country’s energy resources directly benefits our host communities. By linking petroleum development with education, we are investing in the people of Palawan and empowering the next generation of energy professionals,” she said.
Under the program, qualified students will receive monthly stipends and allowances for educational materials and transportation.
The initiative will also fund institutional needs identified by PSU and WPU to improve their energy-related academic programs.
Existing PSC obligations require service contractors to assist state universities and colleges (SUCs) in their host communities by contributing at least US$5,000 per year during the exploration phase and US$10,000 per year during production. The MOA provides a transparent mechanism to ensure that these funds are properly remitted to the beneficiary universities.
Garin said the agreement will serve as a model for similar scholarship and institutional support programs under other petroleum contracts.
“This Agreement also sets a clear framework for the eight landmark petroleum service contracts recently unveiled by the President. It demonstrates how responsible resource stewardship can be aligned with social responsibility, transforming energy development into a direct investment in human capital,” she added.
The MOA was signed by Secretary Garin for the DOE, Dr. Ramon M. Docto for PSU, and Dr. Amabel S. Liao for WPU.
